BENIN CITY: The people of Orogho Community in Ugu Ward, Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State, have accused Seplat Energy Plc of injustice over the alleged ceding of seven Edo-owned oil wells to neighbouring Delta State.
The community, under the aegis of the Association of Orogho Community, Council of Representatives, made the allegation in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Mr Ikponmwosa Osayomore, and Mr Ekhator Lucky.
According to the association, Seplat took over the facilities of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) in 2013 and had since allegedly engaged in practices detrimental to the interests of Orogho Community, including the ceding of oil wells to Okonu and Boborokun communities in Delta State.
The community expressed concern over Seplat’s reported plan to commence drilling at Well 5, which it said would bring to seven the number of Edo oil wells allegedly ceded to communities in Delta State.
“We will resist them if we are denied benefits from Well 5,” the community declared, insisting that it possessed the coordinates to establish Edo State’s ownership of the oil wells.
The association said it had alerted relevant stakeholders, including government authorities and security agencies, in a bid to halt what it described as “prolonged systemic exploitation,” but claimed that its efforts had yielded no positive results.
It further alleged that when pressure mounted on Seplat to address the dispute, communities in Delta State resorted to attacking their counterparts in Edo.
When contacted through telephone, the Seplat Energy Plc Community Relations Manager, Sunday Okologo ended the call.
